New 700-series Champagne lands with great grower’s 738 DT
2015 and 2010 are what this latest offer is all about.
2015 – “a splendid vintage” as it turned out for Jean-Hervé & Laurent Chiquet – is the base of the latest 700-series. 743 is a charmer from the off, with all the trademark poise and drive that you’d expect. “The 743 is already a touch forward, in a good way, which makes it a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years,” as Antonio Galloni puts it.
2010 is the base of this release’s dégorgement tardif. A great year in Chablis and Burgundy, it wasn’t generally seen quite the same way in Champagne. The Chardonnay grape was the clear winner in this region, which suited the Chiquets, whose 738 comprises 61% of the noble white grape. The original became a classic in its time – now comes its DT iteration, which “dazzles from start to finish” according to Galloni. His countryman, Allen Meadows of Burghound, reached the same conclusion: “In sum, this is lovely stuff.”
NV Jacquesson Cuvée No.743 $149
MAGNUM $329
2015, our harvest from Ay, Dizy and Hautvillers (60%) Avize and Oiry (40%). Winter was mild and wet, as was a large part of spring. There followed a period of dry weather with spells of high temperatures which lasted until mid-August.
The growing season ended with alternating periods of cool humidity and dry heat. Picking started on 10th September and ended on the last day of the month. The harvest was very homogenous and produced perfectly ripe and healthy grapes, in reasonable quantities, and with a sufficient level of acidity. So, a splendid vintage. Some reserve wines complete the blend. – Jean-Hervé & Laurent Chiquet
Lovely spice and apple blossom notes are an enticing, aromatic thread in this elegant Champagne, wafting from the glass and winding through flavours of ripe yellow plum, salted Marcona almond, candied ginger and toast point on the palate. Fresh and creamy, with a minerally underpinning that lingers on the fine finish.
92 points. Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator
NV Jacquesson 738 Dégorgement Tardif $235
2010 winter and spring were cold and dry, the first part of the summer was fine but the end of the season was cooler and punctuated by showers. After sorting, the harvest was perfectly satisfactory, resulting in elegant wines; fine and fresh, with the Chardonnays to the fore. Picking was from 14th to 27th September. The wines were on lees for 96 months under cork, and underwent their late disgorgement in June 2019. – Jean-Hervé & Laurent Chiquet
Jacquesson’s NV Extra-Brut Cuvée No. 738 Dégorgement Tardif (2010 base) is superb. So fresh and vibrant in the glass, the 738 dazzles from start to finish. Lemon confit, white flowers, almond and dried orchard fruit all race out of the glass. The Dégorgement Tardif was aged on cork and spent ninety-six months on the lees, which works so well in preserving the wine’s freshness and explosive energy. Time in the glass brings out the wine’s tension and vibrancy. This release is based on the 2010 vintage, with 33% reserve wines. The blend is 61% Chardonnay, 21% Pinot Meunier and 18% Pinot Noir. Disgorged July 2019. Dosage is 0.75 grams per litre.
94 points. Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media August 2020